FFWD Raw Control 2026: Carbon gravel wheels with CeramicSpeed bearings

A pair of 36mm tubeless-ready carbon gravel wheels

The FFWD Raw Control FFWD CeramicSpeed 2026 carbon gravel wheels are designed for gravel racers and bikepackers looking for a lightweight, reinforced, and control-oriented pair of wheels for rough terrain. Their 36mm hookless Full Carbon Clincher rim combines a 28mm internal width with a 35mm external width, and is tubeless-ready for tires from 38 to 60mm.

With a claimed weight of 1295g per pair, the RAW CONTROL wheels bring the technologies used on FFWD's RAW road wheels to gravel bikes. They feature VONOA carbon bladed spokes, FFWD-specific hubs equipped with CeramicSpeed bearings, and a 36-tooth Ratchet system designed to ensure quick engagement.

The 36mm rim depth is designed to balance lightness, responsiveness, and bump absorption on uneven surfaces. Reinforced rims are engineered for enhanced impact resistance, while carbon spokes provide high lateral stiffness and naturally dampen high-frequency vibrations. Tubeless rim tape is pre-installed, and valves are included.

Gravel positioning

RAW technologies adapted for off-road use

The RAW CONTROLs take the high-end specifications developed by FFWD for its RAW road range and adapt them to the constraints of gravel riding.

Designed for control

The rim width, 36mm profile and carbon spokes come together to offer precise and predictable handling on uneven surfaces.

Competition and adventure

This wheelset is designed for gravel races with elevation gain, ultra-distance challenges, and bikepacking routes on rough terrain.

Carbon rims

Full Carbon Clincher Construction

The rims are made entirely of carbon and use a Full Carbon Clincher construction for clincher tires.

36 mm profile

The 36mm rim height aims to preserve responsiveness and handling while providing a usable profile on fast sections.

Reinforced rims

The rim construction is reinforced to better withstand the impacts encountered on gravel tracks and bikepacking routes.

LAW aerodynamic shape

The RAW CONTROLs use the LAW aerodynamic profile developed by FFWD.

Rim width

Internal width of 28 mm

The 28mm internal width is designed to work with wide gravel tires and promote a shape suitable for uneven terrain.

External width of 35 mm

The external width of the rims reaches 35 mm.

Main dimensions

• Rim height: 36 mm
• Internal width: 28 mm
• External width: 35 mm

Hookless construction

Hookless rims

The rims use a hookless design, without an internal retaining hook.

Compatible tires required

The assembly must be carried out with tires compatible with hookless rims and in compliance with the pressure limits indicated by FFWD and by the tire manufacturer.

Maximum pressure of 3.5 bar

The maximum permissible pressure is 3.5 bar, or 50 psi.

Tires and tubeless

Tubeless ready compatibility

The RAW CONTROL wheels are tubeless ready and come with a tubeless rim tape already installed as well as tubeless valves.

Inner tube compatibility

The wheels are also compatible with the use of an inner tube, provided that tires suitable for hookless rims are used.

Incompatibility with tubular tires

The rims are not designed to accommodate tubular tires.

Tire width range: 38 to 60 mm

FFWD indicates compatibility with tires with a width between 38 and 60 mm.

VONOA carbon spokes

Carbon fiber spokes

The RAW CONTROL wheels use VONOA Carbon Bladed spokes made of carbon and featuring an aerodynamic profile.

Low mass

The carbon construction of the spokes contributes to the advertised weight of 1295 g for the complete pair.

lateral rigidity

The spokes are designed to provide high lateral stiffness and quickly transmit forces during acceleration.

Vibration filtering

Carbon naturally absorbs some of the vibrations and high-frequency stresses produced by uneven tracks and paths.

Predictable behavior

This filtration capability aims to make the behavior of the wheels more consistent over long distances and rough terrain.

Shelving

Straightpull assembly

The spokes adopt a Straightpull assembly directly integrated into the specific FFWD hubs.

21 spokes per wheel

• Front wheel: 21 spokes
• Rear wheel: 21 spokes

5.5 mm HEX nuts

The shelving uses 5.5 mm HEX type nuts.

FFWD CeramicSpeed Hubs

Carbon beam specific design

Carbon spokes require a specific hub design. FFWD therefore uses hubs developed specifically for this build.

Technology derived from the RAW range

The hub structure uses a design already employed on the brand's RAW road wheels.

CeramicSpeed Bearings

The hubs are equipped with CeramicSpeed cartridge bearings.

Weight, durability and rolling resistance

CeramicSpeed bearings are used to optimize the weight, durability, and rolling resistance of hubs.

36-tooth Ratchet System

Rapid engagement

The freewheel body uses a 36-tooth Ratchet system designed to ensure quick engagement when resuming pedaling.

Transmission of efforts

The mechanism complements the lateral rigidity of the carbon spokes in order to quickly transmit accelerations.

Axles and braking

Disc brakes

The FFWD RAW CONTROL brakes are designed exclusively for use with disc brakes.

Cross axes

• Front axle: 12x100 mm
• Rear axle: 12x142 mm

Discs not included

Brake discs are not included with the pair of wheels.

Cyclist's weight and limit

1295 g per pair

The advertised weight for the complete pair is 1295 g.

Maximum weight of the cyclist

The maximum weight of the cyclist indicated by FFWD is 120 kg.

Guarantee

Initial two-year warranty

FFWD guarantees its products for two years from the date of purchase.

Three-year extension

Registering the wheels with FFWD provides an additional year of warranty coverage, bringing the total warranty period to three years.

Accident replacement service

Damaged wheel repair

FFWD offers a specific service for users who have damaged their wheels in an accident.

Study by the after-sales service

The possibilities for replacement or support should be studied directly with the FFWD after-sales service.

Box contents

• 1 front wheel FFWD RAW CONTROL
• 1 rear wheel FFWD RAW CONTROL
• 1 FFWD wheel cover
• Pre-installed tubeless rim tape
• Tubeless valves
• Brake discs not included

Technical specifications

General Information

• Product: FFWD RAW CONTROL wheelset
• Uses: gravel riding, competition, ultra-distance and bikepacking
• Weight: 1295 g
• Maximum cyclist weight: 120 kg
• Braking type: disc
• Aerodynamic shape: LAW
• Tubeless ready compatibility: yes
• Inner tube compatibility: yes
• Compatible with tubing: no

Rims

• Type: Full Carbon Clincher
• Material: carbon
• Construction: hookless
• Height: 36 mm
• Internal width: 28 mm
• External width: 35 mm
• Tire width range: 38 to 60 mm
• Maximum pressure: 3.5 bar / 50 psi
• Reinforced construction for impacts

Spokes and nuts

• Spokes: VONOA Carbon Bladed
• Spoke material: carbon
• Profile: aerodynamic
• Assembly: Straight pull
• Number of front spokes: 21
• Number of rear spokes: 21
• Nuts: HEX 5.5 mm

Hubs

• Model: FFWD CeramicSpeed
• Design: specific to carbon fiber
• Freewheel body: 36-tooth ratchet system
• Bearings: CeramicSpeed cartridges
• Front axle: 12x100 mm
• Rear axle: 12x142 mm

Included items

• Pair of front and rear wheels
• FFWD Wheel Cover
• Pre-installed tubeless rim tape
• Tubeless valves
• Discs not included

Recommended use

• Gravel competition
• Races with significant elevation gain
• Ultra-distance
• Bikepacking
• Rough terrain
• Technical gravel trails
• Long outings on uneven surfaces
• Mounts with tires from 38 to 60 mm
• Bicycles equipped with 12x100 mm and 12x142 mm thru-axles
• Cyclists looking for a pair of 1295g carbon wheels

Why choose FFWD RAW CONTROL wheels?

• Carbon wheelset developed for demanding gravel riding
• Technologies from the FFWD RAW road range
• Advertised weight of 1295 g
• Versatile 36 mm profile
• Impact-resistant carbon rims
• Full Carbon Clincher Construction
• Hookless rims
• Internal width of 28 mm
• External width of 35 mm
• Compatible with tires from 38 to 60 mm
• Tubeless ready design
• Pre-installed tubeless rim tape
• Tubeless valves included
• VONOA profiled carbon spokes
• High lateral rigidity
• Natural filtering of vibrations by carbon rays
• 21 Straightpull spokes front and rear
• FFWD hubs developed specifically for carbon spokes
• CeramicSpeed Bearings
• 36-tooth Ratchet System
• 12x100mm and 12x142mm thru axles
• Maximum cyclist weight of 120 kg
• FFWD wheel cover included
• Extendable warranty to three years after registration
• Accident replacement service